Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction
If you’re planning a trip to Pigeon Forge and wondering whether Dolly Parton’s Stampede is worth adding to your itinerary, the short answer is yes – and then some. Part dinner, part live show, and part jaw-dropping spectacle, this popular attraction combines talented horseback riders, music, comedy, special effects, and a hearty Southern feast into one unforgettable evening. From the moment you step inside, there’s a sense that you’re about to experience something uniquely Smoky Mountain, complete with plenty of Dolly’s signature charm.
Let me tell you a little bit about it.
Pre-Show
About an hour before the show begins, guests gather in the Dixie Belle Saloon which is adjacent to the Dixie Stampede arena. There they can order a tasty (non-alcoholic) beverage and listen to bluegrass and country music performed by highly talented artists. I found it to be fun to join in when the guys started playing Rocky Top – I mean, you just can help but join in, right?
Show Time!
When it’s time for the show to begin, guests make their way to their seats and friendly waitstaff take drink orders (unlimited soda, tea, water, and coffee are included with admission).
Once the show begins, the delicious four-course meal begins with delicious biscuits and creamy vegetable soup, later followed by a succulent whole rotisserie chicken.
Guests get to dine just like they might have in the early years of our country – with their hands. (Don’t worry, napkins are provided as well as a nice, warm wipe at the end of the meal.)
About Dixie Stampede
In addition to talented actors and actresses, the cast includes trained buffaloes, 32 horses, chickens, and pigs who peform in a 35,000 square foot arena. One of the special effects is a wall of 12.5 million LED lights which create beautiful backdrops of clouds rolling across mountains, the sun setting over the horizon, and an old southern mansion. A couple of acts descend from the “sky” and are awesome to watch.
The show includes friendly competitions between the North and South to settle the age-old rivalry once and for all.
Some audience members become a part of the show. A few children are selected to participate in a chicken race and a couple of grown-ups are selected to represent their “side” (remember, it’s North vs. South) in a friendly round of “horseshoe.”
Near the end of the show, guests are served a delicious dessert. (I would describe it as a cross between a puff pastry and an apple turnover.)
The show concludes with a patriotic salute of red, white, and blue.
If you were to ask me to compare the Dixie Stampede to other dinner theater productions that I have attended, I would tell you that Dolly Parton’s Stampede’s food was the best and that the show is top-notch.
Location
Dolly Parton’s Stampede is located at 3849 Parkway in Pigeon Forge.
Ticket Prices
Showtimes are at 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 6:00 pm, and 8:30 pm.
Children under two are free and welcome to eat from their parent’s plate. Tickets for children ages 3-9 are $29.99 and adult tickets are $59.99, plus taxes and fees. If you purchase your tickets in advance, be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before showtime to pick them up.
Find more information including the show schedule and details about the four-course feast (and vegetarian meals and gluten-free options) at the Dolly Parton Stampede website.
Final Call
From the impressive horse-riding stunts to the friendly competition and delicious meal, Dolly Parton’s Stampede offers a memorable night out for visitors of all ages. If you’ve seen the show, tell me what stood out most. If not, would you add it to your Smoky Mountain itinerary?
I really love this but I heard that the prestampee show has been cancelled due to pandemic